#2 Priority get Inside scorer.

[ChitownBulls]

Ill pass on that trade....Deng could still end up being solid and he is still young and i rather have 16th and 26th and Deng rather then Thabeet/Songalia and Stevenson. Thabeet wont be that good imo.

[I like the NBA]

Don't we have enough young bigs on this team?

Considering how long it takes to develop a big man, I don't see the draft as being the answer to that.  Paxson needs to do ANYTHING to get a Stoudemire/Bosh or basically any top tier free agent/disgruntled player to team up with Rose. 

Enough with the young 'ens, it's time to add some top-talent vets to this team.

Umm, no, we don't....

First of all, we have one legit CENTER on this team.  As I've told all of you over and over again, CENTER is a separate position from power forward, there is no such thing as a "big."  Why is the term "big" so stupid?  Because anything that includes Dwight Howard or Yao Ming and Tyrus Thomas in the same grouping is too general of a term. 

Second, the legit CENTER that we do have, Brad Miller, is old and getting older rapidly.  If we plan on contending for the finals, he's good for about 24 minutes a game by the playoffs next year, and less in 2011. 

Isn't it funny that the Lakers have 10 titles, all with dominant CENTERS?  Isn't it funny that despite how you may be reading this and thinking "hey, but Magic, hey but Kobe" you have to stop and realize that in 6 seasons without Abdul-Jabbar and O'neal, Magic and Kobe have combined for ZERO championships?  Do you see how stupid you are if you ever for one second doubt the center position?
 
So if you look at our loss to Boston and you think to yourself "we need a scoring PF" or "we have enough big men"... you're a moron.   It's about that easy. 

First of all, there is no need for the name-calling, you do not know a thing about me...  People can always debate while still remaining dignified.

Secondly, not once in my thread did I mention that "we don't need a 'big' man at all" (and you can argue the semantics about "power forward" or "center" all you want, I'm still going to say "big" in this thread just to spite you), all I said was we don't need anymore YOUNG bigs; but perhaps I should have worded this a little bit better....

I don't think Paxson's PRIORITY should be getting a young big man in the draft, as getting a big man to contribute takes too long.  I think Paxson should focus on getting a STAR.  If that means sacrificing the draft picks, then so be it.  I also think it's funny how you mention Alcindor and Shaq--two "Greatest of All-Time" centers.  Of course if you can get a guy like that in the mid first round (laughable), then you do it.  However, if you think the Bulls are a Mullens away from winning a championship, I think you will be sorely disappointed.

With all of your "Basketball 101" knowledge, you think the Bulls should pass on getting a star in favor of drafting a center like Mullens?  Seriously?  Let's say, hypothetically, Riley were to lose his marbles (some argue he already has LOL) and offer Wade for the Bulls' draft picks and fillers to make the salarys work.  You think Paxson should say, "Sorry, but we need a 'true' center so I gotta pass on that one Riles..."

I know that's not what you are saying, as you seem to have some basketball knowledge (besides that "taking back Eddy Curry" thread...  I hope you weren't serious), but in my opinion, the Bulls need to focus on getting another star to team with Rose.  If they get this star and are desperate for a big guy to take up space underneath, they can have Aaron Grey get into better shape and work on his positioning under the basket, or bring over the big guy from Turkey, or have Noah hang out with A-Rod's cousin (kidding); OR you can always get a soft, Mullens-type, 260 pound guy in the mid-late first round in next year's draft--it's not like this year's class is exploding with talent at the center position.  If getting a star like a Stoudemire or Bosh is an impossibilty, I think the draft is the last thing to fall back on.  Either way this is a very thin draft, so, in my opinion this draft is not the answer to the Bulls' problems.

While I agree with you that the Bulls are in need of a center (I would prefer a more developed guy vs. a young guy from the draft), I think they are in more need of a star; and Paxson needs to prioritize his summer according to that.  If you don't agree to what I'm saying, then let's just agree to disagree without the insults.

[ChitownBulls]

Amen brother +3....i agree with you, i would first try to trade for another Star to put next to Rose. Draft is probably the last thing i would go with. If you can get a star and save a draft choice and grab Mullens that would be my favorite option.

[tong]

Thats all great and all, but who do you guys expect other than someone like Kaman?

[ChitownBulls]

As far as another player to put next to Rose? Im talking Chris Bosh. Rose and Bosh would be great together. Then just let all the other guys grow with them. Rose will get better, Bosh will get better,Deng will be healthy and then Hopefully Mullens turns out to be a solid 12ppg 7-8 reb kind of player.

Rose, (Backup PG in the draft...Marcus Thornton,Calathes,Teague,Holiday,Patty Mills...any of them)
Salmons,BG
Deng,Kapono
Bosh,Noah
Miller,Mullens

[tong]

You're gonna have to give up more than just Thomas and Hinrich.

[BteamBomber]

As far as another player to put next to Rose? Im talking Chris Bosh. Rose and Bosh would be great together. Then just let all the other guys grow with them. Rose will get better, Bosh will get better,Deng will be healthy and then Hopefully Mullens turns out to be a solid 12ppg 7-8 reb kind of player.

Rose, (Backup PG in the draft...Marcus Thornton,Calathes,Teague,Holiday,Patty Mills...any of them)
Salmons,BG
Deng,Kapono
Bosh,Noah
Miller,Mullens

Unless Bosh goes to the offseason Kevin Garnett camp of ***-kicking defense, he's not our answer inside.  At least not to win titles.  Just because he gives us points from the PF position, doesn't mean hes the inside presence that helps this team.  Even with Bosh, who is going to hold the paint against Dwight Howard, Yao Ming and for crying out loud, Kendrick Perkins?  We STILL would need a real, 7 foot body that can move enough in the paint to force teams to cover him, as well as rebound and hold back the best bigs in the league.  For value on this specific team, Kaman would be a better fit for the Bulls than Bosh.  The guy put up 15, 12 and 2.8 last season and was putting up 12 and 8 off the bench before getting injured, AND he's a true 7 foot, 265 pound center (Bosh is more like 6'10, 240).  Thats a huge defensive advantage for the Bulls, and he can put up 3/4 of the points Bosh does, at exactly the same FG%, but on inside post moves.  If Noah were able to free himself from the paint and not be the primary post defender, he could shade around the box to either side and truly be the NBA's biggest post pest.  No one would defend the pick and roll better if Noah could come out to the perimeter off of screens, not having to worry about getting back on defense as the only big guy in the game for them.  Tyrus at the 3 would also be free to disrupt more.  Imagine his long arms on Pierce at the end of game 5 in Chicago.  Pierce hit a bunch of easy 15 footers over Hinrich and Salmons.  If Thomas were on him, he would have had no chance.

Bosh is just not the answer.  Kaman would be.  

[ChitownBulls]

Well this is how i see it...in the past Chris Bosh has actaully went toe to toe with Dwight Howard posting a couple of 40 and 30 point games on the guy. And the Raptors have beat the Magic most the times they play eachother. D Howard has trouble guarding him...Bosh gets him in foul trouble and also brings him away from the basket. Bosh would be our PF anyway, he wouldnt be guarding Howard as long as you get a center thats about 7'0 260 that can play some kind of defense. So get rid of Tyrus (Because he is a tweener and he cant finish around the rim),put Hinrich in the deal becuase he has value and his minutes are just going to decrease more and more with the growth of Rose. And when 2010 comes around all you have to worry about is grabbing a solid mid level center....Brendan Haywood,Joel Pryzbilla,Marcus Camby,Tyson Chandler. In 2011 you also have these 2 up for grabs...Nene and Kaman.

[ChitownBulls]

It would be a trade of Hinrich/Tyrus/Tim Thomas's expiring contract and a future 1st round draft pick...Next years draft looks to be a pretty deep 1 too. The hardest thing to do is trying to land a superstar...so lets just make a trade and land him, that way all you have to worry about is grabbing a decent mid level center 2010. All the Miami Heat have to do is let go of Jermaine O'Neal and they will have about 17 mil sitting there waiting to sign somebody like Bosh. So what would you do? Go sign to play for a championship with D Wade in beautiful Miami or sign to for play with a bunch of young guys in Chicago that are still learning the ropes. Its easy i would go to Miami.

[vitalnerve]

i just think ty's value will never be higher, while both amare and bosh's values have never been lower, and won't be this low again until they are past their prime.  we should be able to get bargain bin prices on these guys, which would leave us enough pieces to make another move for a center.  neither amare or bosh is going to take us to the promised land, that would be rose's job.  they are just gonna make it a little easier for him, honestly if noah or ty could finish half of the plays rose makes for them (which they should be able to do) he would already be averaging 10+ assists.

rose
salmons
deng
amare or bosh
chandler, dalembert, przybilla, collison, etc
hinrich/noah off the bench

[ChitownBulls]

Exactly....Bosh nor Amare will take us to a championship...you will make it 2nd 3rd probably but once you got Bosh on board all you need is to sign or trade for a mid level bigman.Like you said both of them have never had such low value as of now...strike while the iron is hot! Chandler,Dalembert,Haywood,Pryzbilla exc...its much easier landing one of them then hoping a superstar comes here. And you never know...BJ Mullens might be solid in a couple years...10ppg 7-8reb would be perfect. Personally i would keep BG because i think he would be going for 6th man of the year every year but even Hinrich wouldnt be bad in this situation.

[I like the NBA]

I wouldn't mind having Chris Kaman, actually, however I wouldn't want his UGLY contract--it's long and expensive.  Getting him would pretty much commit the Bulls to this core for years unless you can get rid of Deng in the trade for Kaman (Deng's contract + Kaman's contract = mediocrity for years if it doesn't work out).

I understand that a Bosh or Stoudemire will not lead you to the promised land, however it is definitely a step in the right direction.  Also, if it doesn't pan out whatsoever, their contracts end soon anyway, so it's win-win.

[ChitownBulls]

+2 Agree...and in 2011 Chris Kaman becomes a free agent anyway...that way you can restructure his contract to a more reasonable price and you know the guy will be wanting to get out of Clipper land...and Chicago would be in need of a starting center with a star studded cast of Derrick Rose and Chris Bosh. Why wouldnt he want to come here? He would be much easier to land in Free agency then trying your luck on Wade/STAT/Bosh/Bron exc....

[Jay]

Out of curiosity, could David Lee be in Chicago's plans? Or would he be too expensive to sign?

[ChitownBulls]

Personally i dont think he is....I think he is asking like 10+mil or something? I see him more as a system guy anyways....he is really good in D'Antoni's system, im not sure what he would be like out of that system. Probably solid but no where near what kind of money he is asking for.